Latest news with #QueenslandDerby
The Australian
16 hours ago
- Climate
- The Australian
Eagle Farm gets unexpected Super Saturday after Queensland Derby Day washout
Eagle Farm will host a 10-card Super Saturday of racing next weekend, with a bumper three Group 1s to be staged following the abandonment of four races on Queensland Derby Day on Saturday. Jockeys complained of poor visibility at Eagle Farm after persistent heavy rain during the day, forcing officials to abandon the Derby meeting after five races on Saturday on another wet day in Brisbane. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The jockeys met after the running of the Group 2 BRC Sires' Produce (1400m), won by Cool Archie on a Heavy 10 track, before voicing their concerns about visibility in the awful conditions at Eagle Farm. It means Group 1 races the Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) and the Queensland Derby (2400m) will be rescheduled to next Saturday at Eagle Farm, with the Queensland Oaks (2200m) for 3YO fillies to be run as per normal on that day. The Fred Best Classic, which offers the winning three-year-old a golden ticket into the Stradbroke Handicap in two weeks, will now be staged on Wednesday on Doomben. • Munce colt Cool in crisis to take out Sires' Produce However, the Group 3 Fred Best will now be run over the shorter distance of 1350m instead of 1400m. The winning trainer of the Fred Best will need as much time as possible to prepare their horse for the Group 1 Stradbroke (1400m) on June 14. Just five of the nine races on Saturday were contested before RQ officials decided to abandon the key winter carnival meeting after the jockeys voiced their concerns about the poor visibility on the track. 'We work with the riding group and obviously the rider and horse welfare is the No.1 priority when it comes to these issues,' Racing Queensland chief steward Josh Adams said. 'We felt the track was safe but it was the visibility and the kickback which ultimately resulted in the remainder of the card being cancelled. 'Hopefully the rain goes away and we can run the rescheduled races under fine conditions next week.' Martin Harley after riding Cool Archie to victory. Picture: Trackside Photography • Kiwi import at home on heavy track in dominant Eagle Farm win To accommodate the three rescheduled races from Derby Day, a Benchmark 90 Handicap and Class 6 Handicap due to be contested at Eagle Farm next Saturday will be shifted to the Sunshine Coast next Sunday. All scratchings will be reinstated for the rescheduled races. Brisbane Racing Club will honour all general admission tickets from Saturday for the Eagle Farm meeting on next weekend. Weather in Brisbane should fine up from Tuesday and little rain is predicted from then onwards for the rest of the week.
News.com.au
20 hours ago
- General
- News.com.au
Poor visibility ends Eagle Farm meeting with Queensland Derby and Kingsford Smith Cup postponed
Officials have been forced to reschedule the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup and Queensland Derby after jockeys deemed conditions at Eagle Farm unsafe to ride in.
The Age
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Kiwi jockey Wiremu Pinn ready for fresh Sydney start after injury woes
'It's been a shame. I would have ridden a lot more winners this season, the way I was riding. I've just had so many injuries and I've had a lot of time off.' His focus was now building connections and momentum in Sydney. 'I'm fit, healthy and ready to go,' he said. 'I want to make a good impression and if I do get the support, hopefully I'll stay for longer. I believe 90 per cent of being a good jockey is riding good horses. It doesn't matter if you're James McDonald or an apprentice who hasn't had a ride before, if you are on a good horse, you are more of a chance to win. 'It's just about getting support, and I'll spread my wings and work hard, and see who wants to give me rides.' Pinn starts his push with Lenape Vibe ($41) in the sixth and Speycaster ($61) in the feature Lord Mayors Cup, both for Waller. He also picked up the ride on Matt Dale-trained Acappella Sun ($19) in the last. 'On these wet tracks, anything can happen,' he said of Speycaster, one of three Waller runners in the listed race. 'I've very competitive and I'll be trying, don't worry about that. Lenape Vibe, it will probably need the run, but the one in the last is probably my best chance. 'I'm looking for a manager, so it's been a bit of a slow start, but I'm sure it will only take that one winner for trainers to see how I ride and hopefully I'll get a few more. Especially with these better riders heading to Queensland for the carnival, there are more opportunities for us young fellas.' Trainer Tom Charlton hopes Derby contender can prove him wrong Randwick trainer Tom Charlton didn't imagine Maison Louis joining main stable hope King Of Thunder as a chance in the Queensland Derby (2400m). That was before the pair hit the line strongly together in third and fourth last start in the group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m). Now Charlton believes Maison Louis could prove him wrong. Charlton, a co-trainer with John O'Shea, will chase his third group 1 win when King Of Thunder ($9.50 Sportsbet) and Maison Louis ($19) tackle the staying test on Saturday at Eagle Farm. King Of Thunder has long been on a path to the race for three-year-olds after finishing a close third in the group 2 Tulloch Stakes and fifth in the group 1 ATC Derby over the Sydney autumn. Maison Louis, though, jumped into consideration off a 1900m benchmark handicap win at Canterbury on April 21, which followed maiden and class 1 wins at Goulburn over 1500m and 1600m. He should hold a forward position under Ben Melham with a draw in gate four. 'King Of Thunder obviously has had a lot more racing experience at this level,' Charlton said. 'He probably seems like the more natural stayer out of the two and Maison Louis, it's all sort of happened in his first campaign. He's taking his racing very well, but we're yet to try him at this trip. 'Off his last run, you'd be very confident that he would handle the distance. I personally thought he was never going to be a strong stayer, so let's hope he can prove me wrong. I thought he was more a 2000m horse, but I guess three-year-olds at this grade, they can probably get a bit more forgiveness at that trip. 'He's just progressed more and more with each race. We gave him a little break after he went to Canterbury, and he's answered all the questions he's been asked.' King Of Thunder (Mark Zahra), third in the Rough Habit, has barrier 14. Charlton and O'Shea also have Candlewick in the group 3 Fred Best Classic (1400m). 'She probably showed a bit of inexperience in the Hawkesbury Guineas [when sixth],' he said. 'Just probably took the wrong option of going inside the eventual winner, and she ended up rolling down off the fence to the inferior ground.'
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Kiwi jockey Wiremu Pinn ready for fresh Sydney start after injury woes
'It's been a shame. I would have ridden a lot more winners this season, the way I was riding. I've just had so many injuries and I've had a lot of time off.' His focus was now building connections and momentum in Sydney. 'I'm fit, healthy and ready to go,' he said. 'I want to make a good impression and if I do get the support, hopefully I'll stay for longer. I believe 90 per cent of being a good jockey is riding good horses. It doesn't matter if you're James McDonald or an apprentice who hasn't had a ride before, if you are on a good horse, you are more of a chance to win. 'It's just about getting support, and I'll spread my wings and work hard, and see who wants to give me rides.' Pinn starts his push with Lenape Vibe ($41) in the sixth and Speycaster ($61) in the feature Lord Mayors Cup, both for Waller. He also picked up the ride on Matt Dale-trained Acappella Sun ($19) in the last. 'On these wet tracks, anything can happen,' he said of Speycaster, one of three Waller runners in the listed race. 'I've very competitive and I'll be trying, don't worry about that. Lenape Vibe, it will probably need the run, but the one in the last is probably my best chance. 'I'm looking for a manager, so it's been a bit of a slow start, but I'm sure it will only take that one winner for trainers to see how I ride and hopefully I'll get a few more. Especially with these better riders heading to Queensland for the carnival, there are more opportunities for us young fellas.' Trainer Tom Charlton hopes Derby contender can prove him wrong Randwick trainer Tom Charlton didn't imagine Maison Louis joining main stable hope King Of Thunder as a chance in the Queensland Derby (2400m). That was before the pair hit the line strongly together in third and fourth last start in the group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m). Now Charlton believes Maison Louis could prove him wrong. Charlton, a co-trainer with John O'Shea, will chase his third group 1 win when King Of Thunder ($9.50 Sportsbet) and Maison Louis ($19) tackle the staying test on Saturday at Eagle Farm. King Of Thunder has long been on a path to the race for three-year-olds after finishing a close third in the group 2 Tulloch Stakes and fifth in the group 1 ATC Derby over the Sydney autumn. Maison Louis, though, jumped into consideration off a 1900m benchmark handicap win at Canterbury on April 21, which followed maiden and class 1 wins at Goulburn over 1500m and 1600m. He should hold a forward position under Ben Melham with a draw in gate four. 'King Of Thunder obviously has had a lot more racing experience at this level,' Charlton said. 'He probably seems like the more natural stayer out of the two and Maison Louis, it's all sort of happened in his first campaign. He's taking his racing very well, but we're yet to try him at this trip. 'Off his last run, you'd be very confident that he would handle the distance. I personally thought he was never going to be a strong stayer, so let's hope he can prove me wrong. I thought he was more a 2000m horse, but I guess three-year-olds at this grade, they can probably get a bit more forgiveness at that trip. 'He's just progressed more and more with each race. We gave him a little break after he went to Canterbury, and he's answered all the questions he's been asked.' King Of Thunder (Mark Zahra), third in the Rough Habit, has barrier 14. Charlton and O'Shea also have Candlewick in the group 3 Fred Best Classic (1400m). 'She probably showed a bit of inexperience in the Hawkesbury Guineas [when sixth],' he said. 'Just probably took the wrong option of going inside the eventual winner, and she ended up rolling down off the fence to the inferior ground.'
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Queensland Derby second emergency The Muffin Man gains start for Pakenham trainer Charlotte Littlefield
Pakenham trainer Charlotte Littlefield has locked in Saturday plans after The Muffin Man secured a start in the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) field. Littlefield, with important starters also at Caulfield on Saturday in Big Swinger and Regal Vow, braced to sweat until 7.30am scratching time to cancel a 10am Brisbane flight. However, the withdrawal on Friday of Eclair Encore, a second and most welcomed French-inspired irony for Littlefield in as many days, has cleared the runway for another trip to Melbourne Airport. Littlefield has accumulated frequent flyer points this week and kilometres behind the wheel, shuttling between Pakenham and Tullamarine. She landed back in Melbourne last Monday, having visited father, Roger, 86, in Bordeaux, France, and went straight to Brisbane to watch The Muffin Man gallop on Tuesday. The scratching of Saint Emilion on Thursday gave second emergency The Muffin Man a chance to scrape into the Queensland Derby field. 'The irony, Saint-Émilion is where my parents live in Bordeaux,' Littlefield said. 'He's fighting fit the horse, he's in super order, his gallop (on Tuesday) was sensational. 'Everything is spot on.' The Muffin Man won a maiden three starts back at Sandown and raced consistently – albeit luckless – since with minor places at Flemington and Caulfield respectively. 'His last start he was posted wide throughout and had a tough run and to his credit he still fought on,' Littlefield said. 'If you're a good form analyst and look at the race you go that horse has run out of his skin and should've won the race. 'He's primed and ready for the 2400m.' The Muffin Man is rated a $21 chance. A first Group 1 win on Saturday would cap an already milestone racing season for Littlefield after breakthrough Listed and Group 3 stakes successes. The Pakenham has saddled a personal best 26 winners from only 136 starters. Littlefield shared a special moment a fortnight ago in Bordeaux with father Roger, cheering from afar the Pakenham winner Feeling Dusty. 'I'd never got to experience a win with my Dad… he loved it,' Littlefield said. 'He doesn't really have any background or clue about horses, bless him, but he does follow us avidly from the computer… he tries to watch the races as much as possible. 'We got it (Pakenham race) up on the screen, I mirrored it from my phone onto the TV and he loved it, he was cheering him (Feeling Dusty) home, it was really lovely to see.' Littlefield and company pulled up a little dusty too after a bubbly celebratory dinner. 'We got into the Crémant (sparkling wine), which is so much better and so much cheaper (than the French champagne),' Littlefield laughed. 'It was lovely to actually get to experience a win and celebrate it (with dad)… made the trip special.' Littlefield has Regal Vow in the 1600m Benchmark at Caulfield on Saturday and Big Swinger in the 1200m 3YO Handicap.
